Plannobani co



G. H. DRASSER,'JR.

CINEMATOGRAPHIC TARGET. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 17. 1917.

Patented July 29, 1919.

5) nvemfoz attozuia iwm m L-L THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAIII :0 WASHINGTON I). c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. mmssnn, JR, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO LYDIA B. KOCH, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

CIN'EMATOGRAPI-IIC TARGET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 29, 1919.

Application filed October 17, 1917. Serial No. 197,036.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonon DRASSER, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Brooklyn, city of New York, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in cinematographic Targets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to cinematographic targets, and more particularly to a type thereof wherein the projector is arrested to change a moving image to a fixed image as the result of the impact of a bullet with the back plate or shield of the target.

In the type of cinematographic targets to which my invention relates, a moving image is projected upon an opaque screen extending between the back plate mechanism and the marksman, the bullet passing through the screen, and impacting with the back plate or shield with a resultant actuation of the movable back plate in a manner to set certain mechanisms in operation for the purpose of arresting movement ofthe film in the projector and convert the moving image projected upon the screen, to a fixed image for a sufficient interval to afford opportunity for marking the accuracy of the fire. In some types of machines, the movement of the back plate isalso utilized to time the movement of the screen so as to insure a timely closing of the apertures through the screen, while in other types of targets, the screen constantly moves, so as to have the light exposed through the apertures for a predetermined interval under all conditions.

When practising with targets of the character to which my invention relates, it is customary to use ammunition of small caliber, developing low velocity so that the force of the impact is not sufficiently great to rapidly displace heavy back plates. In view of this condition it has been the practice to form the back plate of a plurality of small elements, adjacent elements overlapping each other in a manner to prevent a bullet passing through the screen without striking one of the plates forming the back plate or shield in a manner to actuate same.

In order to permit accuracy in the marking, it is essential that no appreciable dwell shall occur between the impact of the bullet with the back plate and the closing of the circuit by means of which the film feeding mechanism of the projector is stopped; and yet the make and break mechanism actuated by the back plate or shield must be so constructed as to act positively. The interval between the discharge of the fire arm and the stoppage of the projector is measured by a small fraction of a second.

In View of this condition it has been the practice to rely upon the moving inertia of the back plate to overcome the resistance incidental to the actuation of the switch mechanism, a condition which necessitated the use of fairly heavy back plates, which sometimes weighed as much as forty pounds, and had of necessity a considerable movement, in order to develop sufficient power to insure the actuation of this switch mechanism.

It has been found in practice that this type of back plate mechanism is too ponderous and requires too fine an adjustment to be satisfactorily operative in use. Furthermore, with this back plate structure the rapidity with which a marksman could shoot at the target, was very much reduced; and when a number of marksmen were practising at the same time, it quite frequently happened that some of them would have a stationary image presented to them for a sufficient interval to permit them to aim at a fixedtarget and thus secure high marking not indicative of their skill in firing at mov ing images.

\Vith these conditions in mind, my object is to provide a target wherein the back plate structure may be composed of a plurality of overlapping, independently operative metal plates each capable with a very slight movement as the result of the impact to a bullet, of closing a normally open electrical circuit controlling the movement of the film within the projector, the 'make and break mechanism offering substantially no resistance to the movement of the plate prior to the closing of the circuit and the plate itself being substantially instantly returned to its normal position, so as to limit the dwell of the film to that interval predetermined by the mechanism for controlling same. In a target made in accordance with my invention the circuit will be automatically broken with the return of a back plate to normal, no power being required excepting that developed by the initial movement of the back plate, to restore the parts to normal. In a target made in accordance with my invention, while I employ a plurality of sections in the back plate or shield, and have a switch mechanism associated with each of said sections, nevertheless all of said switch mechanisms are arranged in the same circuit so as to simplify the electrical conditions in the machine as well as the installation thereof.

' The invention consists primarily in a cinematographic target embodying therein a back plate or shield structure consisting of a plurality of independently movable, overlapping plates, a contact member carried by the frame of the target adjacent each of said plates, and electrically connected with one terminal leading from a source of electrical supply, a. flexible contact member disposed between said first named contact member and its plate, and electrically connected with the other terminal from said source of supply, and an impact member carried by each of said plates adapted to operatively engage said flexible contact member, said contact members being normally spaced apart whereby the movement of any of said plates under the impact of the bullet will close the electrical circuit and the flexibility of said contact will automatically restore said plate to normal; and in such-other novel features of construction andcombination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is a View partly in section and partly in elevation of a portion of a back plate or shield structure for a target made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of a portion of one of the frames of the target showing the electrical wiring and the switch mechanism; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. i 7

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in thedrawings, I have shown at a inclined braces adjacent the back of the framework of the machine, two such braces being used, one adjacent each side of the machine. Carried by said braces respectively is a sequence of pairs of fittings I) having a recessed bearing therein and arranged upon different vertical and horizontal planes. Pivotally supported upon the fittings b is a plurality of back plates 0 which extend from side to side of the machine with their contact faces arranged in substantially vertical, parallel planes in a manner to cause the edge of one plate to overlap the edge of the adjacent plates so as to present a substantially continuous impact surface toward the screens, such screens not being shown in the accompanying drawings as their construction and arrangement is old and well known in the art and have no relation to the present invention.

Each of the plates 0 is supported by a leg cl adjacent each side thereof, which legs have a reduced, or knife edged bearing adapted to seat in the recess in its cooperating fitting Z).

The various plates 0 are normally set in a substantially vertical plane so as to permit displacement thereof with the expenditure of the minimum of force of the impact of a bullet therewith. To avoid the accidental displacement of these plates, I preferably so set them as to have them occupy a position slightly forwardly of the vertical center or point of pivotal support or slightly overbalanced in the direction opposite to that of the force of the impact exerted thereon. To permit accuracy in the setting of each plate, and to limit the extent of its movement toward the screen surfaces, I provide brackets 6 upon opposite sides of the machine having laterally extending abutments f each carrying an adjustment screw 9 adapted to bear upon the plate and define the normal position thereof, suitable means as the lock nut g beingprovided to secure permanency in this adjustment. The brackets are preferably carried by the braces a.

The construction heretofore described is old and well known in this art, my invention relating more particularly tothe electrical controlling mechanism adapted to be actuated by the several plates 0.

Carried by the frame of the machine intermediate the side braces a, is a channel brace h secured to an angle brace i intermediate the side braces a and positioned slightly forwardly thereof. Secured in any desired manner, within the channel brace it is a strip of insulating material j having extending therethrough, adjacent each of the plates 0, an opening j, the channel it having an opening therethrough in axial alinement with the said opening j.

Mounted upon the insulating strip j are two sets of contact members is and m, the latter and also preferably the former being in the form of a leaf spring secured centrally thereof to the strip j the adjacent ends of the contacts in and m of, each pair of contacts overlapping each other and extending across an opening j. Said contacts are so formed and mounted as to be spaced apart in a manner to cause the circuit controlled thereby to be normally open. The contact members and m are made of metal, having a fairly high degree of elasticity and are securedin relationto the strip 7" at a point approximately centrally thereof, the securing means being so positioned as to prevent short circuiting through the channel member 70. The securing means preferably consists of a plurality of screw bolts oat-01 countersunk in the strip j one of which, as n, is used as a binding post for connecting the respective contacts with the proper terminal of an electrical circuit. The various contact members 7:: preferably have a lower degree of elasticity than the contact members m in order to afford a graduated resistance to the oscillatory movement of the plate 0 with the incidental accumulation of sufficient energy in the switch mechanism itself, to restore any of said set of plates to normal after a very short interval following the closing of the circuit.

Carried by each plate 0 is an angle member o having secured thereto by means of the hinge connection 0 one member 0 of a bi part plunger, or impact member, which has secured thereto another or contact member 0 carrying a block of insulating material, adapted to engage the end of that member m which cooperates therewith. The two members 00 of the impact member are so connected as to permit axial adjustment of this member 0 with relation to the plate 0 to accord with the adjustment of said plate in order to insure the desired accuracy in the timing of the closing of the circuit. The adjustment means, as shown in the accompanying drawings, consists of a slot and screw connection 9, between said members.

All of the contact members included in the back plate mechanism, are in electrical connection with one of the terminals of a suitable source of electrical supply and with each other, through the conductor 9"; and all of the contact members m are similarly connected with the other terminal of said source of supply and with each other, through the conductor 8. In this manner a single electrical circuit having a plurality of gaps or switches therein is provided, the closing of any one of which switches will complete the circuit and thus actuate the mechanism controlled thereby. This structure very much simplifies the electrical arrangement in the apparatus and insures substantially absolute reliability in the actuation of the back plate mechanism.

The operation of the herein described device is substantially as follows In assembling a target made in accordance with my invention, the various plates 0 are passed between the brackets e and between :the abutments f and the braces a, the legs (Z being seated upon different pairs of fittings. The impact members are inserted in the openings y" when mounting the said plates 0. After the several plates have been properly positioned, the ad ustment screws 9 are actuated to poise each of the plates in a manner to make them readily responsive to the force of a slight impact, the section 0 of the impact member of each plate being adjusted upon the section 0 toward or from the spring contact.member m in a manner to cause it either to lightly engage the said member on. or to be spaced slightly away therefrom. Exactitude in this ad justment is not essential, as the quantity of movement required in any of the plates, to close the circuit is so slight that slight variances in this adjustment will not be perceptible in the operative effect of the different plates. It is desirable, of course, to have all of the plates adjusted as nearly alike as is possible, but slight variances in the adjustment of the plates will not seriously affect the operative eflect of the mechanism. By setting the various plates a slightly forwardly of a vertical plane, toward the screen, lighter spring contacts may be employed than would be possible if these springs were relied upon to normally sustain a portion of the load of the plate cooperating therewith.

When the back plate mechanism has been adjusted in the manner above referred to, a gap will exist between each pair of contacts 70 and on adjacent the various openings 7" so that the electrical circuit including all of these contacts will be normally open.

By utilizing both ends of each member is and m in forming contacts, I simplify the wiring of the apparatus, but if desired only one end of each such members might be used as a make and break mechanism in this circuit.

The use of a block of insulating material carried by the member 0 and of the insulating strip will prevent the accidental closing of the circuit through other parts of the target structure, thus avoiding the necessity of any elaborate system of insulation in other parts of said structure. The hinged connection between the angle member 0 and the member 0 permits a rectilineal movement of the parts 00 and compensates for that slight are described by the plates 0 carrying these members when said plates are in motion.

When a fire arm is discharged at the target, the bullet after passing through the screen impacts with one of the plates 0, the force of the impact, even with ammunition of small caliber, and a light charge, being sufficient to displace any plate 0 and cause it to oscillate about its point of pivotal sup port with a resultant thrust of the impact members 00 toward, and fleXure of contact member m, which member as heretofore stated, has a high degree of elasticity. The initial flexure of this member m will be sufiicient to bring it into electrical connection with the cooperating contact member 70, these two members thereafter moving in unison with a gradual increase in the tension of both springs, thus causing the moving inertia of the plates 0 and the parts related thereto to develop and store suflicient energy in the spring contacts, to cause them upon the exhaustion of the energy developed by the plates 0 as the result of the force of the impact of the bullet therewith, to react upon said plate to restore it to normal, with the incidental separation of these contacts and the opening of the circuit. The duration of this operation is measured by the fraction of a second, so that the target operates with great rapidity while insuring a positive closing of the circuit without a substantial lapse of time between the impact of the bullet and the closing of the circuit resulting in the stoppage of the projector. That slight interval etween the closing of the circuit and the subsequent rearward and forward movement of the plate, is suflicient to permit accuracy in the marking, without liability of interference in the actuation of the mechanism by reason of an excessive dwell in the actuation ,of the make and break mechanism, or of interference in the actuation of this mechanism by the impact of succeeding bullets with the back plate or shield, even if these impacts be in rapid succession.

A make and break mechanism such as I have above described, can be actuated only by a physical displacement of a plate 0, this mechanism not being responsive to vibrations imparted to said plates by bullets impacting therewith. In fact, the plate a should possess suflicient rigidity to resist deformation by a bullet, or penetration of the bullet.

The various set screws 9 being disposed at opposite sides of the target, outside of the sight opening closed by the screen, a clear field between the screen and the various plates is presented, so that a bullet must impact with one of said plates 0.

A back plate made in accordance with my invention, has the advantage that the initial closing of the circuit occurs substantially instantaneously with the impact of a bullet with the plate associated with any of the make and break mechanisms, the circuit remaining closed for a sufiicient interval to permit marking, no independent mechanism being required .to again open the circuit after the lapse of this brief interval of time.

The element of resistance to the operation of thedevice, is reduced to a minimum and the initial force of the impact of a bullet with a plate 0 is utilized directly to both make and break the circuit and indirectly to restore the plate tonormal. The staccato blow of a bullet upon a plate, has been found sufficient to develop the necessary energy in thespring contact members and m to restorethe plate tonormal and little or no sparking occursat the switch, since the spring mechanism will secure a sufliciently'rapid movement of parts to avoid any reflex action of either spring member when the plate has once been restored to normal. But if such sparking should occur any ordinary expedient, such as the use of platinum areas, might be used to avoid deterioration of the contact members.

By having the member (In of a higher elasticity than the member 76, I secure a rapidinitial closing of the circuit, and a gradually increased resistance to the rearward inovement of a plate 0, and at the same time insure the application of the maximum power upon the initial return movement thereof with a resultant quickness of this return movement and rapidity in the separation of the springs in breaking the circuit. By setting the plates slightly forwardly of the vertical center, all danger of a rebound of the plates after returning to normal is eliminated, or at least a sufficient rebound is prevented to preclude any possibility of this rebound actuating the swltch mechanism.

A back plate or shieldmechanism made in accordance with my invention maybe quickly assembled, may be accurately set to insure approximate uniformity in the timing of the closing of the circuit by all of the several plates, and possesses no mechanisms requiring constant attention to avoid the development of friction which will retard the movement ofthe plates in a manner to modify the operation of the switch mechanism. Furthermore, the wiring or the electrical arrangement,in a machine made in accordance with my invention is very much simplified, requires no delicate electrical instruments and is sufficiently reliable to meet all the requirements of a target of the character to which my invention relates.

I have not shown nor have I described the mechanisms actuated by-the closing of the circuit as aresult of the movement of the back plate or shield structure since these are immaterial to the present invention and any old, well known or desired form of pro- 'jector and controlling mechanism therefor, may be used. 7 i

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 7

Having described the invention what I claimas new and desire tohave protected by Letters Patent is r r l. A cinematographic target embodying therein a back plate or shield structure consisting of a plurality of 1 independently movable overlapping plates, a, contact member carried bythe frame ofthe t.

rget. adjacent nected with one terminal leading from a source of electrical supply, a resilient contact member disposed between said first named contact member and its plate, and electrically connected with the other terminal from said source of supply, and an impact member carried by each of said plates adapted to operatively engage its cooperating resilient contact member, said contact members being normally spaced apart whereby the movement of any of said plates under the impact of a bullet therewith will close the electrical circuit, and the resiliency of said contact member will restore said plate to normal.

2. A cinematographic target embodying therein a back plate or shield structure consisting of a plurality of independently, movable plates, a normally open electrical circuit, resilient means associated with each of said plates and adapted to close said circuit upon the actuation of its plate, and after the closing of said circuit to accumulate sufficient energy to restore said plate to normal, and means carried by each of said plates adapted to cooperate with the resilient means associated therewith.

3. A cinematographic target embodying therein a back plate or shield structure consisting of a plurality of independently movable, oscillatory back plates, an electrical circuit including therein a plurality of pairs of spring contact members adjacent said back plates respectively, and an impact member carried by each of said plates, and adapted to cooperate with a pair of said spring contact members, the contact members of each pair being normally spaced apart whereby the initial movement of a back plate will close said circuit, and subsequent movement will tension both or said spring contact members, and said spring contact members will react to restore the back plate to normal.

4. A cinematographic target embodying therein a plurality of pairs of spring contact members, normally spaced apart, a conductor electrically connected with one contact member, of each pair, a second conductor electrically connected with the other member of each pair, whereby a plurality of gaps are formed in an electrical circuit which may be closed by the actuation of any pair of contact members, a plurality of independently movable, oscillatory back plates, and means carried by said back plates respectively and adapted to cooperate with a pair of said contact members whereby the initial movement of a back plate will close said circuit and subsequent movement will tension both of said spring contact members, and said spring contact members will react to restore the back plate to norma].

5, cinematographic target embodying therein a back plate or shield structure consisting of a plurality of independently movable, overlapping plates, a contact member carried by the frame of the target adjacent each of said plates, and electrically connected with one terminal leading from a source of electrical supply, a resilient contact member disposed between said first named contact member and its plate, and electrically connected with the other terminal from said source of supply, an impact member carried by each of said plates adapted to operatively engage its cooperating resilient contact member, said contact members being normally spaced apart whereby the movement of any of said plates under the impact of a bullet therewith will close the electrical circuit, and the resiliency of said contact member will restore said plate to normal, and means whereby the operative movement'of said impact member may be regulated.

6. A cinematographic target embodying therein a back plate or shield structure consisting of a plurality of independently movable, oscillatory, overlapping plates, a contact member carried by the frame of the target adjacent each of said plates, and electrically connected with one terminal leading from a source of electrical supply, a resilient contact member disposed between said first named contact member and its plate, and electrically connected with the other terminal from said source of supply, a bi-part impact member carried by each of said plates adapted to operatively engage its cooperating resilient contact member, said contact members being normally spaced apart whereby the movement of any of said plates under the impact of a bullet therewith will close the electrical circuit, and the resiliency of said contact member will restore said plate to normal, adjusted means whereby the normal position of said back plate may be adjusted, and means adjustably connecting the parts of said impact member, whereby the timing of the closing of the circuit may be regulated to accord with the adjustment or said back plates.

7. A cinematographic target embodying therein a strip of insulating material having a sequence of openings therethrough, a plurality of pairs of spring members mounted upon and insulated from each other by said strip, the adjacent ends of the members of each pair being spaced apart and projected across saidopenings in said strip respectively, a conductor electrically connected with one member of each pair, a second conductor electrically connected with the other member of each pair, whereby a plurality of gaps are formed in an electric circuit which may be closed by the actuation of any pair of members a plurality of inclependently movable, oscillatory, back plates and an impact member carried by said back plates respectively and 'adaptedto project through an opening in said strip and cooperate Witha pair of said members Where therein a strip of insulatingmaterial hav ing a sequence of openings thereth'rough, a

plurality of pairs of spring members'mounted upon and insulatedfrom'each other by said strip the adjacent ends of the members of each pair being spaced apart and projected across" saidopenings in said" strip respectively, a conductor electrically connected With one member of eachpair, a second conductor electrically" connected with the othermember of each pair, whereby a plurality of gaps are formed in an electric circuit which may be closed by the actuation of any pair of members, a plurality of independently -movable,- oscillatory back plates, an impact member carried by said' plates respectively and adapted to project through an opening in saidstripv and co operate W th a pair'of said members Whereby the initialmovement of a back plate willv copies 01'. this patent maybe obtained for five cents each,'by Washington, D. 0.

close said circuit and subsequent movement Will tension said spring members, and said spring members Will react to restore said back plate to normal, and means whereby the operative movement of said impact member may be regulated.

9. A cinematographic target embodying therein a plurality of pivotally supported, independently movable, overlapping back plates, an electrical circuit and cooperating means carried by said back plates and included in said circuitrespectively, said means including therein a plurality of springs, each of Which is operative in relation to one of said plates whereby the initial movement of said back plate upon the impact of a bullet therewith Will close said circuit, a continued movement of'said back plate Will develop gradually increasing resistance to such movement and said back plate Will be automatically restored to normal.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 29th day of September, 1917.

GEORGE H. DRASSER, JR. Witnesses i BERT A MUELLER, CLARICE FRANCE.

addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 

